Recreational smelt dippers will get a brief shot at the Cowlitz River on Saturday, as the state Department of Fish and Wildlife opens the dipnet fishery for six hours, from 7 a.m. to 1 p.m. The short opening should be a good one, according to state biologist Joe Hymer in Vancouver. Hymer said Tuesday that the river was dropping and clearing and that water temperatures were approaching a favorable range. He added that a commercial opening on the Columbia in the Longview area Monday was “promising.”
The forecast is for a less robust run this year than in 2012 and 2013, Hymer said, but if you find the smelt (actually eulachon), that prediction means little.
The limit is 10 pounds per person, about one-quarter of a five-gallon bucket. Don’t ignore the regs, Hymer said, because the fishery will be well monitored.
There are a number of good dipping spots along the westside Cowlitz highway, from Castle Rock down to Kelso, including the Carnival Market area on the north edge of Kelso, and Riverside Park, just south of town. Take the Castle Rock exit from I-5, cross the river at Castle Rock, and turn south at Four Corners.
Bob’s Sports in Longview sells dipnets for $45, according to spokesman Cody Clark, as well as replacement netting. Call 360-425-3870.
Hymer said it’s possible an additional opening could be added once the run strength is known. Keep track of the fishery — and the possibility of an additional opening — on the Department of Fish and Wildlife’s website.
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